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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 116 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  14. He is an ace ________________.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. key — in music
  6. bat — in an idiom
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. key — the most important part
  9. bat — for baseball
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. bat — the animal
  14. pitcher — in baseball
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. saw — the tool
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. lie — to recline
  21. key — for a lock
  22. saw — the tool
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. coach — a trainer

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com